The doors of the church {building} are now closed

Many of us grew up in churches where we heard the same thing at the end of each service. "The doors of the church are now open."  This meant that sinners who desired to give their lives to Christ could walk down the aisle, recite the sinners prayer and join the local assembly. In this hour, in this season, the Lord is saying, "The doors of the church{building] are now closed. After the economy collapse in 2008, many church doors shut because there was no funding to meet mortgage payments. Statistics and surveys continue to elaborate on the mass exodus of believers from church buildings. False doctrine, enforcing of man made rules, and abusive behavior from pastors and church leaders all play a part. Too many today see pastoring a church as their cash cow. More focus is being  placed on serving the first family, than serving Christ. His word tells us He is a jealous God. He shares His glory with no one.  As we get closer by the day to the return of Christ, He is perfecting His church, the one He said He would return for that is without spot or wrinkle. Apostle Paul tells us several times that the church is in us, and not the building.  Many believers have been taught to clean the building, give money to keep the building going, and to attend functions in the building, but have never been told how to have a personal relationship with Him, and hear His voice for themselves. Pastors have made His sheep co dependent on them as the undershepherd, rather than on Christ, The Good Shepherd.  Churches today have rules that keep members from serving in leadership, rules that have potential leaders sitting on the sidelines instead of using their gifts for the Lord. Many churches now put people out for small infractions. As Apostle Paul said;  "This ought not be." Ezekiel 34 1-10 tells us He says "Woe to the Shepherds, who look out for themselves and not His sheep. Woe to the shepherds who scatter the sheep, who are not healing the sick, and who are ruling with force and cruelty. A prophetic cry has been going up for some time, and now is intensified, for Him to shut the doors of the churches that fall in the category of Ezekiel chapter 34. If you  as a shepherd or the shepherd  you serve under, is mistreating His sheep, running them away or putting them out of church, and making church all about themselves instead of Christ; Woe be unto you because your church doors may be among the many that will close. This is why  His people need to know that His spirit is within them wherever they go. We can fellowship and bring in His presence with only 2 or 3 according to Matthew chapter 18. The only mega in the building should be Him. watch now as the dominoes fall. Watch as those who are anchored in man and not Him, will be sheep gone astray. The doors to buildings are closing even as you read this. Woe, woe, woe.

Copyright Cheryl E Preston 2016
All rights reserved

The doors of the church {building} are now closed

Many of us grew up in churches where we heard the same thing at the end of each service. "The doors of the church are now open."  This meant that sinners who desired to give their lives to Christ could walk down the aisle, recite the sinners prayer and join the local assembly. In this hour, in this season, the Lord is saying, "The doors of the church{building] are now closed. After the economy collapse in 2008, many church doors shut because there was no funding to meet mortgage payments. Statistics and surveys continue to elaborate on the mass exodus of believers from church buildings. False doctrine, enforcing of man made rules, and abusive behavior from pastors and church leaders all play a part. Too many today see pastoring a church as their cash cow. More focus is being  placed on serving the first family, than serving Christ. His word tells us He is a jealous God. He shares His glory with no one.  As we get closer by the day to the return of Christ, He is perfecting His church, the one He said He would return for that is without spot or wrinkle. Apostle Paul tells us several times that the church is in us, and not the building.  Many believers have been taught to clean the building, give money to keep the building going, and to attend functions in the building, but have never been told how to have a personal relationship with Him, and hear His voice for themselves. Pastors have made His sheep co dependent on them as the undershepherd, rather than on Christ, The Good Shepherd.  Churches today have rules that keep members from serving in leadership, rules that have potential leaders sitting on the sidelines instead of using their gifts for the Lord. Many churches now put people out for small infractions. As Apostle Paul said;  "This ought not be." Ezekiel 34 1-10 tells us He says "Woe to the Shepherds, who look out for themselves and not His sheep. Woe to the shepherds who scatter the sheep, who are not healing the sick, and who are ruling with force and cruelty. A prophetic cry has been going up for some time, and now is intensified, for Him to shut the doors of the churches that fall in the category of Ezekiel chapter 34. If you  as a shepherd or the shepherd  you serve under, is mistreating His sheep, running them away or putting them out of church, and making church all about themselves instead of Christ; Woe be unto you because your church doors may be among the many that will close. This is why  His people need to know that His spirit is within them wherever they go. We can fellowship and bring in His presence with only 2 or 3 according to Matthew chapter 18. The only mega in the building should be Him. watch now as the dominoes fall. Watch as those who are anchored in man and not Him, will be sheep gone astray. The doors to buildings are closing even as you read this. Woe, woe, woe.

Truth sets free

If we are honest, the truth sets free.  Many however in the body of Christ, will choose to believe a lie, even when truth is exposed.  There are many reasons for this. Some individuals do not want to ever admit they believed a false doctrine.  Others want to hold on the the possibility that what did not work for others, will one day work in their favor. There are those who are so caught up in spiritual leaders, that they blindly serve these men,(and women) and pledge allegiance, to the point they are unable to hear God warning them of false doctrine. A lot of folk in the body of Christ are steeped in their denominational doctrine.  And refuse to change what they have always done. The minority, who accept truth are set free indeed. When you can admit you listened too, followed and taught a doctrine of demons, that is the first step to spiritual maturity. When you can share your experience with others, they too are now in position to be free if they choose.  You now will recognize the catch phrases, and code words that used to make you shout, but now cause you to shake your head. You will more easily be able to say no.  And not sit in services where lies are being preached. You can stand alone with the Lord, and not  desire the stroking you were used too.  Whose side are you leaning on today?  Let it be the Lord's side.  His Spirit is the Spirit of truth and leads into all truth.  You and you alone must determine your course.  Choose freedom today.  No man can hold you where you desire to be free.

Prophetic update

Don't fight your prophetic nature. Don't try to change and be more of an encourager, so you will fit in or get more speaking engagements. He did not wire you to flow the crowd. When He shows you death and destruction, just say "It is what it is. Embrace who you are. If you fall into the pattern that has been set up in the organized church, you may lose some of your prophetic fire. If you try to be a pastor, teacher or motivational speaker, your gift will diminish. Be bold and firm, take no prisoners. It is better to obey God than man. Accept that you see the hard things the deep things. And leave the encouragement, teaching and motivation tho those He called to it. It is not popular but there is a place for the doom and gloom prophets. Just read Jeremiah's story.   Don't be tricked into the name it claim it, speak it in to existence false doctrine. I know of quite a few situations , local and national where entire churches were speaking a positive confession, and one or 2 prophetic people tried to warn of tragedy coming and they were called negative. And the end result was tragedy, and not the positive confessions. Wake up and pay attention. You will learn a lot. Get your head cleared of denominational rhetoric, and hear His Spirit. More tragedy is coming to the church regarding beloved "celebrity leaders", and also on this nation. When the leaders fall, don't follow the crowd by trying to down play it or say they finished their course. See it for what it is, the judgement of the Lord. When you acknowledge this, you will be able to handle more hard truths that are to come. Don't be shocked at who falls. You have been prophetically warned. Eyes must be on Christ and not any man or woman. Whatever good came from any spiritual leader was God using him or her. Don't get caught up in any human flesh.

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The authority of true prophets

Elijah told Ahab that his 70 sons would die. Nathan told David his baby would die. Isaiah told Hezekiah that his sickness was unto death, but when Hezekiah prayed the Lord sent the prophet back to tell the king that 15 years would be added to his life. Agabus told Paul that a famine was coming, and should he go to Jerusalem, he would end up imprisoned. The bible is clear that Prophets can speak forth the Lord's judgement on leaders. Biblical prophets were respected, and allowed to give the word from the Lord to the kings, priest and other prophets, most times without repercussions. The modern church says not to put your tongue on spiritual leaders, (touch not the anointed) referring to pastors. In the spiritual realm a true prophet sent from the Lord has the ability to see and to speak the judgement from the Lord. Therefore a true prophet has the backing of the Lord. Several women in the Facebook group Nebh'iah (prophetic women), https://www.facebook.com/groups/HisProphetess/?ref=bookmark    have seen judgement, including death coming on beloved spiritual leaders in this nation, and it has come to pass. The modern church set up stops with a pastor, and in some cases a bishop. And they will not even consider listening to prophetic voices because they believe they are THE voice of the Lord. 3 women in the Facebook group, and 2 male prophets all attempted to give the same pastor a warning from God. He did not listen and he died. If you are seeing His judgement, it will come to pass whether anyone listens to you or not. The modern church set up has prevented prophets from speaking. This is what happened to Jeremiah. The people refused to listen, so he decided to keep the word of the Lord to himself. And it became like a fire shut up in his bones, so he had no choice but to release it. Prophets today speak houses and cars, and give good words to the pastor, first lady and those who sit on the front row of the church. This is going on all over America. And is not biblical. Preachers are dying because they have been trained in a religious set up, that places them in a position, God never intended for them to have. And prophets are weeping because they see what is coming and are unable to even give a warning. Church folk have not been taught this so they consider true prophets as negative. Prophetic women stand your ground. You are responsible for what He reveals to you. And the leaders who don't listen will be dealt with. Remember He says in Amos 3:7 that He does nothing in the earth, unless he first reveals it to His servants the Prophets. Those called to pulpit ministry may sometimes prophesy but cannot operate fully as a prophetic voice because they cannot be both the suspect and the arresting officer. One cannot police themselves. Seers are separate from pastors and can clearly hear His voice because they do not have the additional responsibility of being a shepherd to the sheep. Pastors, ignoring a true prophetic voice from the Lord will not make it go away.

A true Prophetic woman/ A different spin on Proverbs 31

On Mother's Day, or during women's day programs, Proverbs chapter 31, verses 10-31 are the most used scripture.  These verses give characteristics of a virtous woman. The first 9 verses are usually ignored, but they hold the key to the rest of the scripture  Verses 1-9 read this way in the King James bible:

1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Verse one tells us that King Lemuel's mother received a prophetic word from the Lord, which she shared with her son. She is letting him know which behaviors are fitting for a king, and those that are not.  Afterwarning her son, that it is not fitting for kings to  drink, or carouse with women, she tells him in verses 10-31 the characteristics of the type of woman befitting a king.

Lemuel's mother was not speaking from her own mind will and emotions She was sharing with her son, what the Lord had put within her heart. The bible does not tell us any thing more about Lemuel or his mother.  If he listend to her, I have no doubt that he found his virtous wife, and reigned well.

If you are prophetic, you may, like Lemuel's mother often receive a supernatural word of knowledge from the Lord for people. The wise biblical king listened to his mother.  In our modern society, people often will not believe God has spoken to anyone unless they are a pulpit preacher.   The bible however never said that pastors would be prophetic  

The word of God is very clear in Amos 3:7  He tells His secrets to His servants the prophets.  This include prophetic women, Nebhi'ah,  aka Prophetess.  Ministries that gdo recognize prophetic women mention Anna, Phillip-'s daughters Hulda and Mirriam.  I have never heard Lemuel's mother mentioned.  

Some Jewish scholars believe that Lemuel was a nick name for King Solomon, which would make Bathsehba his mother Whether this is true or not King Lemuel did not reject the word of his mother.  

The king  did not say off with her head, or how dare she approach him, as ruler with advise  He listened, and her words of wisdom are now part of a very popular scripture. If you are going to use Proverbs 31 in a sermon or teaching, please remember to include the first 9 verses They set the tone for the rest.

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Copyright 2015 Cheryl E Preston

All rights reserved.

Hulda The Prophetess

In Second Kings chaper 22 and Second Chronicles 34, the Bible tells us that when the Prophet Jeremiah was not available, the King's messengers sought out Hulda the Prophetess. This shows that women Prophets were just as respected as their male counter parts. In biblical times Prophets were revered because they were God's mouth piece to the people. 

These men had no problem listening to the counsel they received from Hulda. They did not discount her because she was female. Obviously she had shown that she accurately heard the word of the Lord. And had accuracy in her prophesies. We  who ae prophetic women today must maintain our lifeline of communication to the Lord, so that what we will have a reputation of accuracy and credibility.

 Prophets are not recognized in all Christianity churches today.  Some preachers actually say that there is no need more need for Prophets as believers have the Holy Spirit . When you walk in your calling for a while you will know from experience that this is not true. As the Lord will reveal things to you and have you prepared for situations that stun others. 

Many wear the label of Prophet, but if we lined everyone up and ask them to share prophesies they gave which came to pass I have no doubt many would have nothing to say. I think of one female Prophet who was very popular for a time.  I took notice that she gave a lot of revelations from the Old Testament but for all her notoriety I cannot ever recall her actually prophesying something that came to pass.

I Samuel chapter three tells us that the Prophet Samuel was known from one end of Israel to another as a Prophet of God because his words did not fall to the ground. While the word of God does not give many details about Hulda, it is obvious that if she was the king's choice in the absence of the great Prophet Jeremiah, she must have a track record that could be trusted.

Prophesy is one area where we must walk our talk.  We must have a resume where if our name is tied to it, people are confident that it is a word from the Lord. Fellow Nebhi'ah wear your prophetic mantle and wear it well . The title Prophetess before your name does not prove who you are. Flowing in the gift even without the title causes the gift to make room for you. Hulda's gift made room for her to the point of a King seeking her counsel. What an honor.